Sweeney's receipts are still, unconscionably, under wraps: editorial

View full sizeCleveland City Council President Martin J. SweeneyPlain Dealer file

Local developers have donated money to Cleveland politicians of both parties for years. They will do so as long as there is public business to be had. There's nothing illegal about it, as long as it's not a bribe.

And though there may be a fine line there -- with a newly publicized FBI wiretap in the Cuyahoga County corruption probe capturing disgraced contractor Michael Forlani referring in 2008 to $20,000 in donations he arranged for Cleveland City Council President Martin J. Sweeney's leadership campaign fund -- the fact remains that such donations are legal unless a quid pro quo can be proven.

The Forlani tape is suggestive on that score, but nothing more. On the tape, Forlani says he is lining up council votes on an unspecified issue.

A second man, identified as local developer John Ferchill, says, "We need 11 votes to win. We got 14."

"Money cures a lot of evils," Forlani says in response.

Forlani pleaded guilty to apparently unrelated charges in August. His sentencing hearing began this week.

Ferchill, who like Sweeney has not been charged in the nearly five-year-long probe, told Plain Dealer reporters that Forlani was "blowing smoke" on the tape. Ferchill says no quid pro quo was involved.

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